External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj announced the evacuations plans after an emergency assistance meeting. Indian Ambassador to South Sudan Srikumar Menon is making arrangements with his team in Juba.
#OperationSankatMochan begins at crack of dawn. Two C 17 aircraft leave for Juba with @Gen_VKSingh on board. pic.twitter.com/DsmQJK5eHz
— Vikas Swarup (@MEAIndia) July 14, 2016
Only people with valid Indian travel documents will be allowed to board, with maximum 5 kg cabin baggage and no check-in luggage. According to reports, 300 Indians have registered with the Indian embassy for evacuation so far. The return flights will be up to New Delhi.
The General takes charge again! 2 C-17s proceeding to Juba tomorrow with @Gen_VKSingh leading evac'n frm South Sudan pic.twitter.com/H48qiBJHad — Vikas Swarup (@MEAIndia) July 13, 2016Violence hit South Sudan when rival forces loyal to the president, Salva Kiir, and to the vice-president, Riek Machar, started battling using anti-aircraft guns, artillery attack helicopters and tanks. After days of heavy fighting, President Salva Kiir ordered ceasefire on Monday. More than 300 people including civilians were killed in the violence. The UN has said that 36,000 South Sudanese civilians have fled their homes due to the fighting. Many are living in churches or sites protected by international peacekeepers.